However, communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil said this will only happen once 80% coverage to populated areas has been achieved by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).

Putrajaya agreed to proceed with the single wholesale network through DNB until then. Currently, DNB has achieved 57.78% coverage to populated areas.

Fahmi expected Phase 2 of the 5G network rollout to commence by early 2024.

Asked what benefit would a dual network bring, Fahmi said it would avoid a “single point of failure” as well as increase the network capacity to more than what had been projected through a single network.

He added that a dual network would not have a reduction or deleterious effect on network speed.

“If anything, the presence of another network will also ensure interoperability, in case one (network) is affected for whatever reason, we can fall back on the other,” he said.

He also confirmed that the second 5G service provider would be determined through an open tender process.

“What equipment they choose to use, the kind of employees they choose to employ, and the corporate structure – the government will not be involved in those commercial considerations,” he said.

We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.